Fire kills 18 at massage parlor in E. China

At least 18 people have been killed and another two injured after a foot massage parlor caught fire in east China, local authorities said Sunday.

The fire broke out at around 5:26 p.m. Sunday in the Zuxintang Foot Massage Parlor in Tiantai County, Zhejiang Province, according to the county’s publicity department. The fire was extinguished at about 7:05 p.m..

Eight people were found dead in the fire, while another 10 died in hospital after medical efforts failed, according to the department.

Pictures on microblog Sina Weibo show a building engulfed by heavy smoke and people jumping out of windows, while firefighters were trying to tame the blaze.

An investigation into the accident is under way.